Seventh Star Interview
Seventh Star just finished up a ton of dates on the HM Magazine co-sponsored Dancefloor Disaster Tour with Bloody Sunday and Clear Convictions. Here's an interview done prior to the tour...
How has your sound developed over the past couple of years (and your first full-length album, Dead End, and this one?
Drew: Well, of course we've progressed as musicians in the two year span after Dead End. I guess you could say we've progressed into a more metal sound. While we'll always have a traditional hardcore base, we've introduced more dynamics and drawn influences from a lot of different bands we've been listening to like, Crowbar, Life of Agony, Superjoint Ritual, Slayer, Entombed, Sepultura, and others. Dead End was written to be a straight up hardcore record, and it was what it was, but I'm really happy with the stuff we've written on Brood of Vipers, we've pushed ourselves as song writers. I think all our current fans will dig the new stuff and new kids will be into it as well.
Who are Chase's biggest influences?
Chase: For writing the new record, some of my influences range from Merauder, Agnostic Front, All Out War, and 100 Demons.
What are the advantages of being in the hardcore scene, instead of, you know, growing your hair out long, sporting black leather jackets, and doing the old school metal thing?
Drew: In the hardcore scene, you can be who you are. We don’t have to have matching outfits and a fancy light show. We can get up on stage in a t- shirt and shorts and do our thing. We are who we are, take it our leave it.
Johnny, as a frontman, where do you like to be on stage? How does it feel when the band is in the middle of a great riff and the power and volume levels are super high? Please explain how it feels performing your music live.
Johnny: I'm always front and center. When I'm performing, it's like I'm in control of a situation, like commanding the crowd because everyone's emotions are high. And It's like I feel no pain with all the endorphins and adrenaline running through me.
What does it mean to be a Christian to you guys? How does your music interact with your faith? What are your goals with Seventh Star?
Drew: To be a Christian, is to follow the Lord in everything. Our faith drives our band, it drives our lives. In the last year, we as a band and as individuals have been through a lot of things, and I know we wouldn't be doing what we are doing if it wasn't for God. He's brought us through a lot. Our goals with Seventh Star are to break stereotypes and barriers within the scene. We never want to be a preachy holier-than-thou-get-on-your-knees-and-cry band. We'd be going to the same shows whether we were Christians or not. This is our scene, and this is where we are called to be. Like, there is nothing wrong with playing a church, but I'd much rather play a dirty bar with hardcore bands. I think too much Christians want their safe little Christian bubble where there are no atheists, drunks, people with "bad mouths", whatever. We need to be in the real world and applying our faith. It's the sick that need a doctor.
What is the hardest/most difficult instrument to play in Seventh Star? Why?
Shawn: Well, I think everyone in the band would have a different opinion about this. Drew thinks drums would be the hardest, but I think the pressure of being a frontman would be the hardest, so I guess that’s relative question.
What was it like being a kid in Ocala in the 90s and liking hardcore music? How did life change for you guys when you formed Seventh Star?
Drew: There was never very many bands in Ocala. Every now and then, touring bands would come through, and we were just stoked on anyone new. Hardcore gave us something to do and was an outlet for aggression and honesty. Chase Lives in Melbourne, FL and his dad used to help put on shows. So, he say bands like Earth Crisis, Strongarm, and The Refused when he was like eight years old. So I guess you could say we all grew up on it.
Why did Jai and Brian leave the band? What was it like for you guys during the transition time of not knowing your future to reforming with new members?
Shawn: They both left around the same time. We just came off a real stressful tour and wrecked our van. Brian wasn't really into the band anymore, no bad blood or anything, he just wanted to move on. He's doing the college thing now and is actually going on a mission to Kenya for a couple months. With Jai, It was hard because it's always a big deal when a band changes it’s singer. There were some problems that we just couldn't work out anymore. We still hang out with Jai all the time, but being in a band with someone puts a whole new strain on a friendship. It was also hard for us, because for a moth or two we had no clue who was going to sing for us, or if we were even going to be a band anymore. But we really felt this is where God wanted us to be, and He led us to where we are.
Why the name Brood of Vipers? What sort of experience have you had with legalistic pharisee type people?
Drew: The title track, "Brood of Vipers," was written after I saw a donation drive on TBN for this huge tower they're building in Orlando. A televangilist told a woman if she made a $40 donation, that her five grandchildren would be saved. I couldn't believe it. I really don't understand how those people can live with a clear conscience. The song basically relates them to the money changers in the temple and the Pharisees who acted righteous on the outside, but on the inside they were full of evil. We chose it as the title of our album as a warning to people that not everyone who comes in the name of Christ is from the father. There is a spiritual war going on all the time and the enemy tries to sway the sheep. Some people might find the lyrics controversial, or offensive, but we need to say something. Christianity isn't just about Jesus kissing babies and Easter Sundays. It deals with the dirt. The Gospel saves, but it isn't "safe".
What role does Mike currently have with the band? (please describe) How does it feel to hit the road without him?
Drew: Mike is no longer in the band. He hasn't toured/been able to tour in over a year. So, we're used to playing with one guitarist. He helped write the record and flew up to Salem, MA to record. He's one of our best friends, he just can't do the band anymore.
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